Letter: Thankful for UTC as community partner

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Rockford Register Star

Writer

Posted May. 2, 2014 at 4:00 PM

Posted May. 2, 2014 at 4:00 PM

As a staff member at Thompson Elementary School (District 205), it’s been a privilege to myself and our entire staff of having UTC-Hamilton Sundstrand as our community partner. Over the last seven years, UTC staff members have volunteered their time as reading tutors at every grade level, landscaped, painted in our building and lined our parking lot for recess activities. Their devotion to our school has never been more evident than our recent fifth-grade trip and tour through their facilities at Alpine Road and Harrison Avenue in Rockford.

Our trip was co-organized by our principal, Emma Gipson, and Jackie Norem (UTC), who organizes and places tutors with our school’s teachers. Jackie and countless other UTC employees took time from their day to greet us, lead tours and answer questions about designing, engineering and manufacturing in the aerospace industry. (Our students are still talking about the awesome lunch they served us!) They also stressed the importance of education and studying hard in reading, math and science to prepare students for a successful and productive future.

So next time you pass by the corner of Alpine and Harrison and see the UTC-Hamilton Sundstrand Aerospace Systems sign, please take a moment and think of them not only as one of our area's top employers, but a place that cares deeply about those of us in our community.

Thank you again to UTC for all you’ve done for Thompson Elementary School.